MetroWest Jewish Day School (MWJDS) is a pluralistic Jewish day school that nurtures students, families, and faculty as they proceed on journeys of learning and discovery. Students of all observances study and learn in an environment of academic excellence and mutual respect. MWJDS inspires proud, knowledgeable, responsible Jews empowered to strengthen communal life in MetroWest and beyond. Our motto at MWJDS is “Educating children according to their path,” a paraphrase of Proverbs. We recognize that all good education is differentiated education, because all learners (regardless of developmental stage) are unique.
“Educating children according to their path.”
—MWJDS Motto
Every child learns differently.
We believe deeply that each child has a unique learning style. To best help each student and individualize learning, we as educators must learn about and understand our students. We evaluate student learning through regular assessments, both formal and informal. Teachers use a variety of assessment tools and the power of observation to better understand their students. Teachers also actively evaluate their own teaching methods and styles in light of student assessments and observations so that they as teachers can adapt their methods to better serve our students.
Multi-age learning greatly benefits students.
We believe that learning partnerships among children of different ages more naturally mimic the “real world”. In our core subject matter (mathematics, English language arts, and Hebrew) groupings are based on skill level, rather than age or grade. This enables us to meet students where they are academically and provide them with a developmentally appropriate level of academic challenge in their curriculum. In our applied subjects (Judaic studies, social studies and science) and the arts, we group children into multi-age cohorts. This year, our cohorts include grades 1-2, grades 3-4, grade 5, and grades 6-7-8.
We embrace Jewish values.
The MWJDS community strives to help students develop according to the goodness that Judaism engenders. We understand how our ethical stances are compatible with the highest values in our American society. Our children learn respect for peers, parents, teachers and authority. They honor the elderly and show compassion for one another. They give support to the sick, disabled and bereaved. They care for the environment and animals. Our students show understanding and appreciation of diversity.
Students learn best with an intentionally low student-to-teacher ratio.
Currently, our average student-to-teacher ratio is 6:1. Every member of the faculty and staff is committed to our students and they contribute to the development of each child’s strong sense of self and belonging in the community. Because our student-to-teacher ratio is low, our teachers really get to know their students as learners. As a result, our teachers better meet the students’ academic needs.